Crossing the Finish Line

Description: If this course is the finish line, I have crossed it.

Reflection:Today is the day of my final conference. I feel that I have come full circle throughout this process. I have made some big mistakes, but I have also made progress. No matter how big the mess up, there is always redemption. Our art show was a huge success. I have never been so proud of my group. This class has really been about personal development for me. I have hit some highs and lows this semester. However, the highs were awesome. I feel that I have learned how to teach. Maybe when I have the foundation can I truly know the meaning of being a good teacher. This course has helped me to lay the proper foundation for my career.

Connection: I should strive for this kind of success in every aspect of my life.

Put Me In Coach ..

Description: The people in this picture are climbing a mountain. The person on top probably has more experience. In times like these, we all need help. Of course, you never want your partner to leave you hanging from a mountain!

Reflection: I would consider this person on top a "coach." It has always been one of my goals to be a high school softball coach. Not because I wouldn't love the extra pay (even though that doesn't hurt) but for the teaching aspect. I have always loved the game and I have the desire to teach it to others. Many of the people who have inspired me most have been coaches. When you think about it, what is a teacher if not a coach? They are just people who like to push you in the classroom. As a student athlete I know that I usually pushed myself harder on the field that I did in the classroom. HUGE mistake on my part. However, I have also had some experiences where coaching was definitely needed.

Connection: Coaching and teaching are directly related. I would love nothing more than to support my own students. If the opportunity expands to athletics, thats great. However, my focus will be in the classroom.

My Art

Description: Upon completion of the art show, I have been thinking about my own art. What does it mean to create something? Before this class, I had never considered this question. I had never even considered myself creative .. lets ponder.

Reflection: Perhaps the two things I am most proud of are my culture card and my mobile. I loved the culture card assignment. I feel so strongly about my card because in a sense it is "me." Everything about me is incorporated into that card. For instance, I love my hometown. This assignment gave me the opportunity to show it off. I had a picture of the mountains and sun. I am from Irvine, where the Bluegrass touches the mountains. I was thrilled to be able to share some of my heritage with a room full of aspiring educators. By far, it was one of the best experiences I have had as an education major. I also loved working on my mobile. For this assignment, I had to be somewhat creative. I had to figure out how to make my mobile hang and how to actually hang things from it. For this particular assignment, I had to come out of my comfort zone. I was nervous, but I actually enjoyed the process. You never know what you will learn until you try. This assignment showed me that.

Connection: I know that as a teacher, I must be creative. I have targeted the problem and I know its something I have to work on. However, when I look back on my art work from the course, I can't help but be proud of myself. I honestly hate putting myself out there. I have always been afraid that I will simply get laughed at, especially when it comes to art. I must say that my drawing skills are lacking. I have not yet reached the Pre-Schematic stage myself. In conclusion, looking at my two greatest accomplishments (art wise) I feel that I have reached my peek. One day, my creative side will make an appearance. I will let you know when it decides to show it's face.

You Wanna See My Mad Face?

Description: This is a picture I found of teacher. Obviously, this picture is an example of a stereotype. Not all teachers make this face on a daily basis. However, some educators do use the "scare tactic" when it comes to teaching.

Reflection: During my senior year of high school, I worked at an elementary school for my co-op job. I loved to work in the first grade rooms because the students were younger. The little kids would automatically put me in a great mood. However, the teacher I worked with on a daily basis would constantly scare her students. When they wouldn't get their work done, she would threaten them by taking away their recess or putting them in a corner somewhere. I just knew there had to be a better way of getting quality work from your students. In return, the students would do their work, but not out of self-motivation. They would complete their work in a sloppy manner only to get what they wanted out of their day. I felt that the teacher handled this situation poorly. If a student isn't interested in their work, chances are it won't be completed in the correct manner. I felt that this decision held consequences for everyone involved, teachers and students alike. I have learned throughout this course that sometimes the subtle things you do, can impact a student the most. You never know who is watching and what they may take from your actions.

Connection: I have seen how this works first hand. When a teacher goes about handling a situation the wrong way, it can effect the learning of a child. It was almost as if the students were completing their work only because they were scared to see the teacher's "mad face." I can't say that I blame them. I was even scared of her sometimes. I learned through this situation that sometimes we can learn best by watching others. I don't want to scare my students. I want them to know that they can come to me no matter what they have done. A teachers shouldn't be a scary person. They should be a leader if nothing else.

Teachers and Candles ...

A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.
-- Author Unknown

Description: This is an interesting quote I found on a teaching web site. I thought it would make a good blog entry because it holds a lot of meaning and directly relates to what we discuss in class on a weekly basis. What exactly does a good teacher do? This quote helped me to find the answer.

Reflection: Throughout my education, I have had many teachers .. good and bad. This quote says that a teacher should be like a candle, willing to light the way for others. I completely agree. I have had teachers that were willing to do this for me and I excelled in their class. As a student, I can tell the difference between a teacher that is trying, and a teacher who is just getting by. As an aspiring teacher, I would like to think that I could light the way for a student who was trying to learn new information. After all, if the student is giving their best effort, why not give them all the support needed to succeed? With the help of a teacher, a student can do most anything. I can't help but get excited when I think about having an impact in the life of a child.

Connection: This quote will one day apply to my career. I should feel motivated to teach everyday. When the emotion wears off, I should take a break. I should always be willing to give my students my all in the classroom. This quote is a good source of motivation for me.

Homework, hun?

"I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework." -- Edith Ann, [Lily Tomlin]

Description: This is a quote that I discovered online. I like that it makes you think. I began to think about the teachers I have had in the past and the ones that I will soon have in the future. Sure, as a student I have always had homework. It just becomes routine. It's nice to have a teacher that challenges you and makes you think differently about the world surrounding you.

Reflection: As I mentioned before, homework sometimes becomes a routine for me. I usually find myself doing homework that I never turn in. Do some teachers feel that homework is necessary for successful learning? My answer would undoubtedly be .. YES! I have had teachers in the past who would just assign for assignments sake. Doesn't the assessment mean more when it contains depth and purpose? That is of course an easy question to answer. When a teacher gives you great things to ponder on, you create great thoughts. Sometimes, deep class discussion can be the best form of learning available. Even though I'm not very vocal in class, I still find myself learning from comments made by others. Each person is an expert in some field. Why not share what you know? We have all heard that when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. When a teacher gives you some great information, what should you do with it? In some cases, homework assignments are the best way to learn information. However, I find that I learn better from experience and movement. What should a teacher do about students who learn differently than others? If you have any input, please let me know. Teachers everywhere have been trying to solve this problem for years. Maybe pondering on this topic will lead us to develop our own great thoughts.

Connection: Not only does this apply to me the teacher, it also applies to me the student. I must remember that I am still not an expert by any means. I still do homework on a daily basis. The day when I can stop, will be the day that I can assign it. Go figure?

Leaps and Bounds

Description: I think I relate to the man in this image. I feel that he is struggling to make sense of all the things around him. Our world is constantly changing. In this fast pace world, I find it hard to keep up and stay on track. As a teacher, one must keep up with the changing trends and stay up to date with our teaching methods. This concept can be applied to technology.

Reflection: I remember typing my fourth grade portfolio on a very early model computer. The screen was large and the key board was very noisy. Last year when I was in EDS 150, my service learning was assisting fourth graders on their portfolios. I was shocked to see how things had changed. These students were typing on new laptops with the highest forms of technology. It took them almost no time to create a piece of art. The computer even helped them with their spelling and grammar. I am not old, but it was like a different time ... I just can't believe the advances our society has made. I now see that technology can be a help, not a hindrance while in the class room. If used correctly, it can be a great teaching tool. It can also break the routine of doing worksheets and lessons on a daily basis. While I was in elementary school, we had a computer class and I remember it being the best part of my week. I loved to play the game Math Blaster. If I am not mistaken, this game is still being played in some schools today.

Connection: These amazing leaps and bounds that we have made must be exercised in our class rooms. Students can't afford to grow up and not learn about new technology. I guess you could consider my generation to be the "texting generation." I will admit, I even enjoy it myself. I can't help but wonder what will come next. Any tool that will help students learn should be put to use if at all possible. I know that some schools may not have the recourses, but computers are a must in today's society. When writing a paper, word processing is a necessity. For some students, the only place they may see these advances is in the classroom. As teachers, it should be our duty to familiarize them with the new tools that our society creates.